D-Link Air Xpert DWL-AG520 User manual

D-Link DWL-AG520
2.4/5GHz Wireless PCI Adapter
Manual
Rev. 0200402
Building Networks for People

2
Contents
Package Contents .................................................... 3
Introduction............................................................... 4
Wireless Basics ........................................................ 6
Getting Started.......................................................... 8
Using the Configuration Utility ................................ 13
Networking Basics .................................................. 18
Technical Specifications.......................................... 31
Limited Warranty and Registration ......................... 33

Package Contents
Contents of Package:
• D-Link DWL-AG520 2.4/5GHz Wireless PCI Adapter
• Manual and Drivers on CD
• Quick Installation Guide (printed)
If any of the above items are missing, please contact your reseller.
System Requirements:
• A desktop computer with an available 32-bit PCI Card slot
• Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows 98 SE
• At least 32 MB of memory and a 300 MHz processor or higher

4
Introduction
The D-Link DWL-AG520 Wireless PCI Adapter is an advanced IEEE
802.11a/b/g compatible, high performance, wireless adapter that supports
data transfer speeds of up to 108 Mbps in Turbo Mode.
It is an ideal way to connect your laptop computer to a Wireless Local Area
Network (WLAN.) After completing the steps outlined in the Quick Install
Guide (included in your package) you will have the ability to share
information and resources, such as files and printers, and take full
advantage of a “connected” environment for work or play! Please take a
look at our Getting Started section in this manual. You will see several
options for setting up a network using the DWL-AG520.
The DWL-AG520 comes with software drivers for the most popular Microsoft
Windows operating systems and can be integrated into a larger network,
running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98SE, in
either Ad Hoc mode (without an Access Point) or Infrastructure mode (with
an Access Point.)
This manual provides a quick introduction to wireless technology and its
application as it relates to networking. Take a moment to read through this
manual and get acquainted with wireless technology.
Product Features
• Adheres to 802.11a/b/g standard in providing high data wireless
transfer rates of up to 54 Mbps. Capable of providing data rates of
up to 108 Mbps in Turbo Mode.
• Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) – a new
technique for transmitting high-speed data over a radio wave.
• Supports Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) data encryption at
64/128/152-bit encryption with dynamic key exchange for security.
• Supports infrastructure networks via Access Point and Ad-Hoc
networks via peer-to-peer communication.
• Requires an available 32-bit PCI Card slot that is PCI 2.2 compliant.
• User-friendly configuration and diagnostic utilities.

LED
LED stands for light-emitting diode. The DWL-AG520 Wireless PCI
Adapter has two LEDs, as shown below. When the computer is ON, the
adapter is inserted properly, and there is activity on the network, both LEDs
flash in unison. The BOTTOM LED (POWER) flashes to indicate that the
adapter is inserted properly into a computer that is ON. The TOP LED
(Network) flashes to indicate network activity.
TOP
BOTTOM

6
Wireless Basics
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-
to-use and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home or
business. Strictly adhering to IEEE 802.11a/b/g the D-Link wireless family
of products will allow you to access the data you want, when and where you
want it. No longer will you be limited to one location or forced to run new
wiring through your home or office. You will be able to enjoy the freedom that
wireless networking delivers.
A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a cellular computer network that transmits and
receives data with radio signals instead of wires. Wireless LANs are used
increasingly in both home and office environments. Innovative ways to utilize
WLAN technology are helping people to work and communicate more
efficiently. Increased mobility and the absence of cabling and other fixed
infrastructure has proven to be beneficial for many users.
Wireless users can use the same network applications they use on an
Ethernet LAN. Wireless adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems,
support the same protocols as Ethernet adapter cards. For most users, there
is no noticeable functional difference between a wired Ethernet desktop
computer and a wireless computer equipped with a wireless adapter other
than the added benefit of the ability to roam within the wireless-cell. Under
many circumstances, it may be desirable for mobile network devices to link
to a conventional Ethernet LAN in order to use servers, printers or an
Internet connection supplied through the wired LAN. A Wireless Access
Point (AP) is a device used to provide this link.
People use wireless LAN technology for many different purposes.
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
location within the operating range of the WLAN. Ad-hoc management
decisions based on real-time information can significantly improve worker
efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs - WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change
and relocate. Networks that frequently change, both physically and logically,
can benefit from WLANs ease of implementation. WLANs can operate in
locations where installation of wiring may be impractical. Furthermore, IEEE
standardization mandates interoperability of all WLAN devices that conform
to the 802.11a/b/g set of standards.

Installation Flexibility - Wireless technology allows the network to go where
wires cannot go.
Installation Considerations
Designed to go up to 1650 feet (~500 meters), D-Link DWL-AG520 lets you
access your network with your computer from virtually anywhere you want.
Keep in mind, however, that the number and thickness of walls, ceilings or
other objects that the wireless signals must pass thru may limit range.
Typical ranges vary depending on the types of materials and background RF
noise in your home or business. The key to maximizing range is to follow
these basic principles:
1. Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the Access Point and
your receiving device to a minimum - Each wall or ceiling can reduce
your D-Link Wireless product’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) For
some businesses or for a large residential home deployment, it may be
beneficial to have more than one access point with overlapping coverage.
2. Be aware of the direct line between Access Points and computers with
wireless adapters - A wall that is 1.5 feet thick (.5 meters), at a 45-
degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet (1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree
angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters) thick! Try to make sure that the
Access Points and Adapters are positioned so that the signal will travel
straight through a wall or ceiling for better reception.
3. Building Materials make a difference - A solid metal door or aluminum
studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position Access Points,
and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal passes through
drywall or open doorways and not other materials.
4. Make sure that the antenna is positioned for best reception by using the
software signal strength tools included with your product.
5. Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate extreme RF noise.

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Getting Started
To begin, select the type of wireless network you will be building.
We will discuss the following types of networks in this section:
1. A Home Internet Network
with A Residential Gateway/Router
2. A Home Internet Network with Multiple IP Addresses
3. An Ad Hoc Network
4. An Ad Hoc Network with Internet Sharing
Please select, from the four types of networks described above, the type of
network that is appropriate for your needs. Please follow the instructions in
the corresponding section that follows.
1. A Home Internet Network with A Residential Gateway/Router
(Network administrators with Dynamic IPs can also follow these instructions.)
If you have two or more computers (laptops or desktops) and want to share
files, printers, and Internet access using a DHCP-capable Residential
Gateway/Router – or - if you want to connect to an Ethernet network that
uses Dynamic (DHCP) IP addresses, then follow the instructions on the next
page. When it is complete, your network may look similar to this:
1. A Home Internet Network with A Residential Gateway/Router
This type of installation requires that you provide a dynamic IP address for
each computer on your network. You will need a DHCP-capable Residential
Gateway/Router for your network.
DHCP stands for
Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol.
It is a protocol for
assigning dynamic IP
addresses
“automatically.” With a
DHCP-capable
gateway, there is no
need to manually
assign an IP address.

To complete the installation, please follow these steps:
1. Connect the Router/Gateway (for example, the D-Link DI-704P) to
a Broadband connection, Connect the 802.11a/b/g Access Point to
the router.
2. Install the D-Link DWL-AG520 Wireless PCI Adapter into a
desktop computer on your wireless network. (You can also install the
Wireless Cardbus Adapter into a laptop computer. Please refer to
the Quick Install Guide included with each product.)
3. Check the Device Manager to confirm that the wireless adapter is
installed correctly. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in
this manual entitled: Checking the Installation of the Drivers for
the Wireless Adapter.
4. By default, the wireless adapter is set to obtain a Dynamic IP
Address. If you are having difficulty connecting, check to make sure
that the IP Address of the wireless adapter is within the IP address
range of your network. Please refer to the Networking Basics
section in this manual entitled: Checking The IP Address.
5. Learn to share printers and files. Please refer to the Networking
Basics section in this manual entitled: Adding and Sharing Printers
in Windows XP.
2. A Home Internet Network with Multiple IP Addresses
(Network administrators with Static IPs can also follow these instructions.)
If you have two or more computers (laptops or desktops) and want to share
files, printers, and Internet access using multiple IP addresses that you have
purchased from your Internet Service Provider -or- you want to connect to
an Ethernet network that uses Static IP Addresses, then follow the
instructions on the next page. When you have completed your network, it
should look similar to this:
Please note that this type of installation requires that your ISP (Internet
Service Provider) provides you a static IP address for each computer and
the Access Point on your network. Please refer to the manual that came
with your Access Point to determine its configuration.
Please follow these steps to complete the installation:

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1. Connect the Wireless Access Point is shown in the example) to a
Broadband connection (i.e., a Cable modem such as the cable
modem.)
2. Install the DWL-AG520 Wireless PCI Adapter into a desktop
computer on your wireless network. (You can also install the
Wireless Cardbus Adapter into a laptop computer. Please refer to
the Quick Install Guide included with each product.)
3. Check the Device Manager to confirm that the wireless adapter is
installed correctly. Please refer to the Networking Basics section in
this manual entitled: Checking the Installation of the Drivers for
the Wireless Adapter.
4. Set the Static IP Address of the wireless adapters. Please refer to
the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled: Assigning
an IP Address.
5. Learn to share printers and files. Please refer to the Networking
Basics section in this manual entitled: Adding and Sharing Printers
6. in Windows XP.
3. An Ad Hoc Network
If you have two or more computers (desktops or laptops) and want to share
files and printers, but no Internet connection, please complete the following
instructions. When your Ad Hoc network is complete it may look similar to
this:
(Requirements: Wireless network adapters -for example)
To complete this installation, please follow these steps:
1. Install the D-Link DWL-AG520 Wireless PCI Adapter into a desktop
computer on your wireless network. (You can also install the
Wireless Cardbus Adapter into a laptop computer. Please refer to
the Quick Install Guide included with each product.)
2. Set the Static IP Address of the wireless adapters. Please refer to
the Networking Basics section in this manual entitled: Assigning
an IP Address.